Strengthening compliance with UN arms embargoes — Key challenges for monitoring and verification

Abstract

The authority of the United Nations is greatly undermined by persistent violations of Security Council arms embargoes. Objective verification of such violations is necessary to ensure compliance with UN arms embargoes, but experience has shown that successful verification requires a number of specific measures. The Security Council should continue to improve the design of arms embargoes, but address the issue of impunity of embargo violators. Member States should provide a more effective framework of national controls based on a common set of criteria for international arms transfers agreed by the General Assembly fully consistent with international law. UN Sanctions Committees, the Secretariat and investigative teams require better support to improve verification methods, techniques and procedures, especially from Member States close to the embargoed entity, UN peacekeeping missions operating in the vicinity and other relevant intergovernmental organizations.